Top 10 Baseball Free Agents: MLB 2023, Aaron Judge Leading

Major League Baseball’s 2022 season is halfway done, and many of the biggest MLB Free Agents are already having an influence on their new teams. That won’t be a problem in the 2022–2023 winter frenzy after seeing how the MLB lockout of 2022 reshaped free agency.

Fans of baseball may anticipate some of the most exciting talent coming to the open market the following offseason. We’ll see massive contracts inked with a lot of big names on the move as a result of players like Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, and Rafael Devers not agreeing to extensions with their clubs.

The 2022–2023 free agent class is loaded with elite talent, led by Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom. Teams can never have enough starting and relief pitching talent, which is plenty. There is also a group of middle infielders who are highly regarded. While there won’t be a busy signing period coming up to a lockout like there was the last offseason, there may still be some record-breaking deals.

Top 10 MLB Free Agents-

1. Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge has made 2022 the most productive season of his career while attempting to break the AL single-season home run record. This is plainly the result of changing his technique at the plate. The outfielder’s new contract and whether or not he stays in New York will be worked out in free agency, as the Yankees were unable to match his demands in the form of an extension.

2. Trea Turner

One might make a compelling case that Trea Turner was the National League MVP for the most recent campaign. This is an All-MLB Team member and NL Batting Champion who does it all, even without it. He is the ideal leadoff hitter because he can hit for power and consistently poses a threat to get on base and then cause harm on the base paths. In 2023, the Dodgers must pay him among the highest MLB salaries, or another team in need of an MVP-caliber shortstop will.

Turner is back to his regular self at the plate after a sluggish start to the season. Even though his shortstop defence isn’t the best, he’s a fantastic leadoff hitter, and you won’t find this level of output and on-field impact ability anywhere else.

3. Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom will be the most sought-after pitcher in the 2023 free-agent class despite understandable injury concerns. DeGrom has been throwing his fastball at an average velocity of 99.3 mph since leaving the injured list. He has pitched only 36.1 innings and has a 13.62 K/9, 1.98 ERA, and 0.55 WHIP.

The only thing stopping Jacob deGrom from leading the MLB free agents in 2023 is injuries. Major concerns include shoulder troubles at to start off the 2022 season and elbow issues in 2021. DeGrom is still anticipated to activate his opt-out clause in spite of the problems. If his health problems continue in 2022, he could settle for a short-term contract, but deGrom will still earn more than $30 million per season.

4. Carlos Correa

Correa has made it clear that he intends to use the first of his two opt-outs and that he wants to sign a long-term contract with Minnesota. In a more competitive middle-infielder market than there was a year ago, the shortstop intends to push for a long-term contract.

Both Carlos Rodón and the San Francisco Giants gambled during the free-agent period. When the 2022 MLB season comes to a conclusion, Rodón is still on top. He demonstrated his ability to remain healthy for the entire season while recording a 2.92 ERA and a remarkable 31.7% strikeout rate. While there is a chance, deGrom and Justin Verlander are equally at risk.

5. Nolan Arenado

Arenado actually chooses to leave his contract with the Cardinals, which would be somewhat unexpected. He’s winning and is content; do you recall why he wanted to leave Colorado? Moreover, it’s doubtful that, as a free agent, he could greatly increase the remaining terms of his deal. But he is present because it is essentially policy to list everyone with an opt-out.

6. Carlos Rodon

The traditionally prone-to-injury starter is on track to pitch a career-high number of innings in 2022, all with a sub-3.00 ERA. Rodon would probably choose to go and hunt for a deal that affords him more job security after he was unable to sign a long-term contract last summer due to his past health issues.

With the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants over the past two seasons, Rodon has developed into one of MLB’s top pitchers. The southpaw is anticipated to use his right to leave his current contract and explore his options as a free agent. Given how dominant he has been, he should command one of the highest salaries in the league.

7. Xander Bogaerts

The Boston Red Sox’s de facto captain inked a team-friendly agreement in 2019, but after several straight successful seasons, the Boras Corp. client will be looking for a large payday. Bogaerts had only known the Red Sox since he was signed out of Aruba when he was a teenager, but if Boston does not match his demands, a lot of other teams would be happy to give the shortstop what he wants.

The native-born shortstop for the Red Sox is anticipated to exercise his contract’s opt-out clause and sign as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. Bogaerts may be sporting a new jersey in 2023 if there is no extension in sight and Boston doesn’t appear particularly eager to complete a deal.

8. Justin Verlander

One of the best storylines of the 2022 season has been Verlander. The retired veteran’s only accomplishments since making a full recovery from Tommy John surgery are a league-best 1.84 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 24 starts. At this point in his career, he is still doing amazing things, and a team will reward him with a huge contract this offseason.

9. Edwin Diaz

During his 2022 season, Diaz established himself as baseball’s top closer. Diaz had slightly reverted to a less consistent product after his 57-save season in Seattle in 2018, but in 2022 he had transformed back into perhaps an even better version of himself. The closer entered September with a 0.90 WHIP and just nine runs allowed over 53.1 innings.

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10. Dansby Swanson

Swanson’s career year couldn’t have come at a better time. The Atlanta Braves star was slashing and was selected for his first All-Star game. Through 131 games, he has hit 287.342..446, with 17 home runs and 77 RBI. He and the other top shortstops in the free agent class are set up for a hefty payoff.

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